Destination guides > Australia > Queensland > Outback Queensland > Mount Isa
Mount Isa
Miles from anywhere, Mount Isa is the biggest town on the long road between Townsville and the Northern Territory. It is a busy mining town producing copper, lead, silver and zinc and doesn’t hold much to entice the traveller to stay. Most backpackers stop for fuel and food and leave as soon as they can.
Practical information
Mount Isa Visitor Information Centre
19 Marion Street, Mount Isa
Tel (07) 4749 1555
Website www.riversleigh.qld.gov.au
Open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-noon
Coming & going
Mount Isa is on the Barkly Highway, which connects Townsville with the Northern Territory and it lies at the terminus of the train line from Townsville.
Greyhound (tel 1300 473 946) buses stop at the Outback at Isa Centre on Marian Street. The train station is located on Station Street in Miles End, west of the city centre.
Hostel accommodation
Traveller’s Haven
Corner Pamela & Spence Streets, Mount Isa
Tel (07) 4743 0313
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Mount Isa Underground Hospital & Museum
Following the WWII bombing of Darwin Hospital, a bomb-proof underground hospital was constructed in Mount Isa. The hospital has now been opened as a museum.
Joan Street, Mount Isa
Tel (07) 4749 0281
Admission $10
Open Apr-Sep 10am-2pm daily
OUTBACK AT ISA
This tourist complex is comprised of the Isa Experience Gallery, the Hard Times Mine and the Riversleigh Fossil Centre. A combined entry ticket for all attractions in the complex costs $55 and combined entry to the Isa Experience Gallery and Riversleigh Fossil Centre is $18.
Hard Times Mine
This mine was never actually an underground mine, but was built specificially for underground mine tours after Mount Isa Mines stopped offering their underground tours. However it is an authentic mine experience as visitors kit themselves out in overalls, boots and a hardhat and descend via the Alimak Cage to the base of the mine where you can see the mine equipement and work the mine drill.
19 Marian Street, Mount Isa
Tel (07) 4749 1555 or 1300 659 660
Website www.outbackatisa.com.au
Admission $45
Open 8.30am-5pm
Isa Experience Gallery
This interesting museum has exhibits about Mount Isa with a focus on the mining industry and the city’s history.
19 Marian Street, Mount Isa
Tel (07) 4749 1555 or 1300 659 660
Website www.outbackatisa.com.au
Admission $10
Open 8.30am-5pm daily
Riversleigh Fossil Centre
The museum focuses on the world heritage Riversleigh fossil sites just north of Mount Isa and features a huge replica fossil studded limestone outcrop, a simulated tropical rainforest recreating the Miocene period of 25 million years ago and many other displays.
19 Marian Street, Mount Isa
Tel (07) 4749 1555 or 1300 659 660
Website www.outbackatisa.com.au
Admission $10
Open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-noon
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